Systems and methods for printing a document using a graphical code image

ABSTRACT

A system comprises a server, a mobile device and an image forming apparatus. The server includes a storage manager for managing storage of documents and associated document identifiers, an image forming apparatus interface for receiving a set request identifying a user from the image forming apparatus and for providing associated document identifiers to the image forming apparatus, and a mobile device interface for receiving from the mobile device a document request containing a document identifier and for providing in response a document associated with the document identifier to the mobile device, the document identifier received by the mobile device from the image forming apparatus as a graphical code image. The mobile device includes a camera for capturing a snapshot of the graphical code image from the image forming apparatus, and a server interface for sending the document request to the server and for receiving the document.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/063,394, filed Mar. 7, 2016 andentitled “Systems and Methods for Printing a Document Using a GraphicalCode Image,” is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to printingservices, and more particularly provide systems and methods for printingdocuments.

BACKGROUND

Printing electronic documents stored on network servers is a commontask, especially in work environments. In current systems, a usertypically initiates a print request from a work computer. The printrequest identifies the electronic document and the connected printer. Inresponse, the work computer generates a printable representation of theelectronic document and displays a print preview. The user can modifyprint configuration settings and view a new print preview of theelectronic document. The user can then launch the print job to theprinter. The work computer forwards the printable representation of theelectronic document through the network to the printer, which prints theprintable representation. The user then goes to the printer to obtainthe hardcopy of the printable representation.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/363,336, filed Jan. 31, 2012 andentitled “Printing an Electronic Document Using a Printer and a MobileDevice,” discloses a method for printing an electronic document using aprinter and a mobile device. The printer receives a request to print.The printer generates a unique identifier in response to the request.The mobile device sends a print job associated with the uniqueidentifier and the electronic document to a print server over a network.The printer sends the unique identifier to the print server. The printerreceives the print job from the print server in response to sending theunique identifier, and prints a hardcopy of the electronic documentbased on the print job.

Systems and methods that are capable of more efficiently printing anetwork document would be helpful.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a printing systemcomprising a server device including a storage manager configured tomanage storage of documents and associated document identifiers, aparticular set of one or more of the documents and one or moreassociated document identifiers being associated with a particular user;an image forming apparatus communication interface configured to receivefrom an image forming apparatus a set request containing identificationof the particular user, and configured to provide the particular set ofone or more associated document identifiers to the image formingapparatus in response to receiving the set request; and a mobilecomputing device communication interface configured to receive adocument request from a mobile computing device, the document requestcontaining information identifying a selected document identifier of theparticular set of one or more associated document identifiers, themobile computing device receiving a graphical code image identifying theselected document identifier from the image forming apparatus, andconfigured to provide a selected document associated with the selecteddocument identifier to the image forming apparatus for printing.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method comprisingmanaging storage of documents and associated document identifiers, aparticular set of one or more of the documents and one or moreassociated document identifiers being associated with a particular user;receiving from an image forming apparatus a set request containingidentification of the particular user; providing the set of one or moreassociated document identifiers to the image forming apparatus inresponse to receiving the set request; receiving a document request froma mobile computing device, the document request containing informationidentifying a selected document identifier of the particular set of oneor more associated document identifiers, the mobile computing deviceobtaining a graphical code image identifying the selected documentidentifier from the image forming apparatus; and providing a particulardocument associated with the selected document identifier to the imageforming apparatus for printing.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides an image formingapparatus, comprising an authentication process for authenticating aparticular user; a server device communication interface configured toprovide a set request to a server device, the server device configuredto manage storage of documents and associated document identifiers, aparticular set of one or more of the documents and one or moreassociated document identifiers being associated with a particular user,the set request including identification of the particular user, theserver device communication interface being further configured toreceive the particular set of one or more associated documentidentifiers from the server device in response to the set request; anoperation panel configured to display the particular set of one or moreassociated document identifiers, configured to enable identification ofa selected document identifier associated with a particular document forprinting, and configured to provide a graphical code image associatedwith the selected document identifier in response to the identificationof the selected document identifier; and an image forming unitconfigured to print a particular printable representation of theparticular document associated with the selected document identifier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merelydepict typical or example embodiments. These drawings are provided tofacilitate the reader's understanding and shall not be consideredlimiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability various embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a printing system in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a client computing device in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an image forming apparatus in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a mobile computing device in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a graphical codes list in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a server device in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of printing a networkdocument, in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of printing a networkdocument, in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of printing a networkdocument, in accordance with a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is provided to enable a person skilled in theart to make and use various embodiments of the invention. Modificationsare possible. The generic principles defined herein may be applied tothe disclosed and other embodiments without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. Thus, the claims are not intended to belimited to the embodiments disclosed, but are to be accorded the widestscope consistent with the principles, features and teachings herein.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a printingsystem generates a graphical code image (e.g., dimensional barcodes,dimensional matrix barcodes (such as quick response [QR] codes),alphanumeric characters, and/or any other optical machine-readablerepresentation of data) representing a document identifier (e.g., adocument name, a URL, a storage location, a memory location, hashinformation, an alphanumeric identifier, etc.). The printing system usesgraphical code images to transfer document identifiers between mobiledevices and image forming apparatuses to identify documents on a serverdevice, e.g., in data storage or a print queue, for printing.

In some embodiments, the user can transfer a particular graphical codeimage associated with the desired document from one of the mobilecomputing device or the image forming apparatus to the other. Thereceiving device can give the graphical code image or the documentidentifier represented thereby to the server device to enable the serverdevice to locate the desired document. The desired document can beconverted into a printable representation. The user can review a printpreview of the document on the mobile device, and change configurationsettings. The image forming apparatus can print the document.

In some embodiments, the user can provide the graphical code image tothe image forming apparatus using a scanner on the image formingapparatus. The image forming apparatus can provide the graphical codeimage or the document identifier represented thereby to the serverdevice to identify and request the document for printing.

In some embodiments, after a user logs onto the image forming apparatus,the image forming apparatus displays a list of document descriptors ofdocuments that the user is permitted to access (e.g., print jobs locatedin the queue that are associated with the user) and allows the user toidentify a desired document for printing from the list. The documentdescriptors may be or include the graphical code images. The user uses amobile computing device to capture a snapshot of the graphical codeimage associated with the desired document (e.g., using a camera on themobile computing device). The mobile computing device provides thegraphical code image or the document identifier represented thereby tothe server device to identify the desired document. The desired documentis retrieved from the server device and converted into a printablerepresentation. The server device forwards the document to the mobilecomputing device. The user can review a print preview of the document,and change configuration settings. After the printable representation ofthe document is finalized, the document (possibly in a printablerepresentation) is provided to the image forming apparatus for printing.

In some embodiments, the mobile computing device displays a list ofdocument descriptors of documents that the user is permitted to access(e.g., print jobs located in the queue that are associated with theuser) and allows the user to identify a desired document for printingfrom the list. The document descriptors may be or include the graphicalcode images. In response to selection of the desired document, themobile computing device displays the graphical code image. The imageforming apparatus scans the graphical code image, and provides thegraphical code image or the document identifier represented thereby tothe server device. The desired document is retrieved from the serverdevice and converted into a printable representation. The server deviceforwards the document to the image forming apparatus. The user canreview a print preview of the document, and change configurationsettings. After the printable representation of the document isfinalized, the image forming apparatus prints the document.

In some embodiments, the printing system prevents the image formingapparatus from directly accessing documents associated with the user todecrease potential security concerns.

FIG. 1 illustrates a printing system 100 in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention. As shown, the printing system 100includes a client computing device 105, a server device 110 coupled todata storage 115, a mobile computing device 120, and an image formingapparatus 125.

The client computing device 105, the server device 110, the data storage115, the mobile computing device 120, and the image forming apparatus125 may be communicatively coupled together via a network 130. Thenetwork 130 may be any type of network through which devices maycommunicate. In some embodiments, the network 130 is a local areanetwork. In some embodiments, the network 130 is a wide area networksuch as the Internet. In some embodiments, the network 130 includes acombination of one or more local area networks and one or more wide areanetworks. The network 130 may be wired and/or wireless.

The client computing device 105 may be any computing device capable ofcreating and/or editing a document, and in some embodiments creatingdocument identifiers and/or graphical code images representing thedocument identifiers associated with respective documents. In anenterprise environment, the client computing device 105 may be anemployees work computer. The client computing device 105 may include adesktop, laptop, tablet, etc. In some embodiments, the document editingsoftware may be cloud-based. As described in more detail below, theclient computing device 105 may instruct the server device 110 to storedocuments and in some embodiments the graphical code images and/or thedocument identifiers in the data storage 115. In some embodiments, theclient computing device 105 provides a document and the graphical codeimage associated with the document to a print queue on the server device110. In some embodiments, the client computing device 105 displays thegraphical code image associated with the document the user desires toprint, so that the user can use his or her mobile phone to capture asnapshot of the graphical code image and provide the graphical codeimage to the image forming apparatus 125 where he or she wishes to printhis or her document.

The image forming apparatus 125 may be a multi-function peripheralincluding one or more of functions of a printer and a scanner as well aspossibly a facsimile device and/or a copier. The image forming apparatus125 is configured to exchange graphical code images with the mobilecomputing device 120. In some embodiments, the exchange of the graphicalcode images enables documents desired for printing to be identified andprinted while the user is near the image forming apparatus. Additionaldetails of the image forming apparatus 125 are provided herein.

The mobile computing device 120 may be, for example, a smart phone, atablet, a laptop or any other mobile device. The mobile computing device120 is configured to exchange graphical code images with the imageforming apparatus 125. Additional details of the mobile computing device120 are provided herein.

The server device 110 may be any computing device capable of storingdocuments and graphical code images and/or document identifiersassociated with the documents in data storage 115 or in a print queue.The data storage 115 may be local or external. The server device 110 mayquery the data storage 115 using the graphical code images and/ordocument identifiers to locate the associated documents. Based on theembodiments described below, the server device 110 cooperates with theclient computing device 105, the mobile computing device 120 and/or theimage forming apparatus 125 to provide lists of document descriptors,identify documents desired to be printed, provide documents to themobile computing device 120 and/or image forming apparatus 125 as neededto enable print previews, and provide documents to the image formingapparatus 125 for printing. Additional details of the server device 110are provided herein.

Direct to Printer

In some embodiments, the user uses document editing software on theclient computing device 105 to generate, edit or access a document. Theclient computing device 105 generates the graphical code image toassociate with the document, provides the document and the graphicalcode image to the server device 110, and displays the graphical codeimage. The user uses his or her mobile computing device 120 to capture asnapshot of the graphical code image (e.g., using a camera on the mobilecomputing device 120). The user uses the mobile computing device 120 toprovide the graphical code image to the image forming apparatus 125,e.g., by presenting the graphical code image to a scanner of the imageforming apparatus 125. The image forming apparatus 125 provides thegraphical code image or the document identifier represented thereby tothe server device 110, which uses the graphical code image or thedocument identifier represented thereby to identify and retrieve thedesired document. One of the server device 110, mobile computing device120 or image forming apparatus 125 converts the document into aprintable representation. The user can review a print preview of thedocument, and change configuration settings. The image forming apparatus125 prints the document.

Image Forming Apparatus Presents List

In some embodiments, after a user logs onto the image forming apparatus125, the image forming apparatus 125 obtains document descriptors ofdocuments that the user is permitted to access (e.g., print jobs locatedin the queue that are associated with the user) from the server device110, presents the list, and allows the user to identify a desireddocument for printing from the list. In some embodiments, the user useshis or her mobile computing device 120 to capture a snapshot of thegraphical code image associated with the desired document (e.g., using acamera on the mobile computing device 120). The mobile computing device120 provides the snapshot of the graphical code image or the documentidentifier represented thereby to the server device 110. The serverdevice 110 uses the snapshot of the graphical code image or the documentidentifier represented thereby to retrieve the desired document and sendthe document to the mobile computing device 120, which converts it intoa printable representation. The user reviews a print preview of thedocument, and if necessary changes configuration settings. After theprintable representation of the document is finalized, the image formingapparatus 125 prints the document.

Mobile Computing Device Presents List

In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 125 obtains documentdescriptors associated with documents that the user is permitted toaccess (e.g., print jobs located in the queue that are associated withthe user) from the server device 110, presents the list, and allows theuser to identify a desired document for printing from the list. Inresponse to the selection of a desired document, the mobile computingdevice 120 displays the associated graphical code image. The userprovides the graphical code image to a scanner on the image formingapparatus 125. The image forming apparatus 125 captures the graphicalcode image and provides the graphical code image or the documentidentifier represented thereby to the server device 110. The serverdevice 110 retrieves the desired document and provides the document tothe image forming apparatus 125. The image forming apparatus 125converts the document into a printable representation. From the mobilecomputing device 120, the user can review a print preview of thedocument and can change configuration settings if desired. After theprintable representation of the document is finalized, the image formingapparatus 125 prints the document.

In some embodiments, upon receiving a document request containing agraphical code image, the server device 110 uses graphical coderecognition techniques to decode the graphical code image into thedocument identifier. For example, the server device 110 may decode adocument identifier from the graphical code image and may compare thedocument identifier to a stored list of document identifiers to find thecorresponding network document.

In some embodiments, upon receiving a document request containing thedocument identifier (e.g., the mobile computing device 120 or the imageforming apparatus 125 already decoded the graphical code image), theserver device 110 need not perform the decoding process.

FIG. 2 illustrates a client computing device 105 in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention. The client computing device 105may include a user interface 205, memory 210, one or more applications220, a code generator 225, a CPU 230, a network interface 235 capable ofcommunicating with a network 130, and a server device communicationinterface 240. In some embodiments, the client computing device 105 mayinclude one or more printer drivers 215.

The application 220 (e.g., Microsoft Word) includes document editinghardware, software and/or firmware for a user to generate, edit and/oraccess a document.

The code generator 225 includes hardware, software and/or firmware togenerate a (possibly unique) graphical code image and/or documentidentifier for the document. In some embodiments, the code generator 225generates the document identifier, and let's other devices in theprinting system 100, e.g., the server device 110, generate the graphicalcode image.

The server device communication interface 240 includes hardware,software and/or firmware to communicate with the server device 110,e.g., to request the server device 110 to store the document and, insome embodiments, the graphical code image and/or document identifier inthe data storage 115. The request to store the document may be a printrequest, in which the document and the graphical code image and/ordocument identifier are sent to the server device 110 to be placed in aprint queue.

In some embodiments, the code generator 225 includes hardware, softwareand/or firmware configured to display the graphical code imageassociated with the document desired to be printed, thus enabling theuser to capture a snapshot of the graphical code image using his or hermobile computing device 120.

FIG. 3 illustrates an image forming apparatus 125 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 125 mayinclude an operation panel 305, an image forming unit 320, memory 325, aCPU 335, and a network interface 340 coupled to network 130. Althoughnot shown, the image forming apparatus 125 may further include afinisher and one or more paper cassettes.

The operation panel 305 may include a display unit 310 and an input unit315 for facilitating user interaction. The display unit 310 may includean electronic video display, such as a liquid-crystal display (LCD). Theinput unit 315 may include a combination of devices that allow users toinput information into the operation panel, such as buttons, keyboards,switches, dials, image scanners, and/or touch screens. The input unit315 may include a touch-screen digitizer over the display unit 310 thatcan sense touch and interact with the display unit 310.

The CPU 335 may include one or more processors capable of executinginstructions, such as instructions which cause the image formingapparatus 125 to perform various image forming operations. The CPU 335may also incorporate special-purpose processors for special purposesbuilt on application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) andfield-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

The memory 325 may include both volatile memory and non-volatile memory.Volatile memory may include random-access memory (RAM). Examples ofnon-volatile memory (e.g., computer readable media) include read-onlymemory (ROM), flash memory, electrically erasable programmable read onlymemory (EEPROM), digital tape, a hard disk drive (HDD), and asolid-state drive (SSD). The memory 325 may include any combination ofreadable and/or writable volatile memories and/or non-volatile memories,along with other possible memory devices. The memory 325 may storeinstructions, e.g., program instructions, which are executable by theCPU 335 and/or any other processor(s) for running image formingoperations of the image forming apparatus 125. The memory 325 may alsostore data for various programs/applications, as well as data specificto the image forming apparatus 125, e.g., for running the operatingsystem (OS).

The memory 325 may store user data 350 about its users. The instructions330 may include an authentication process 355 to authenticate a userlogging into the image forming apparatus 125. The authentication process355 may include hardware, software and/or firmware to request the userto enter user identification information and/or a password via theoperation panel 305. Like many components herein, the user data 350 maybe stored in other locations in the printing system 100.

The instructions 330 may include a rendering unit 365. The renderingunit 365 may include hardware, software and/or firmware for rendering adocument into a printable representation.

The instructions 330 may include a server device communication interface370. The server device communication interface 370 may include hardware,software and/or firmware capable of communicating with the server device110. In some embodiments, the server device communication interface 370controls communication via an internal trusted network.

The instructions 330 may include a mobile computing device communicationinterface 375. The mobile computing device communication interface 375may include hardware, software and/or firmware capable of communicatingwith the mobile computing device 120. In some embodiments, the mobilecomputing device communication interface 375 controls communication viaa wireless connection, a Bluetooth connection, a near fieldcommunication connection or other connection outside of an internaltrusted network.

The image forming apparatus 125 includes an image forming unit 320capable of printing and scanning and possibly also faxing and copying.

Direct to Printer and Mobile Computing Device Presents List

In some embodiments, the mobile computing device communication interface375 captures the graphical code image from the mobile computing device120, e.g., by receiving the graphical code image via the scanner of theimage forming unit 320. In some embodiments, the operation panel 305includes a camera-type device for receiving the graphical code image.The server device communication interface 370 provides the graphicalcode image or the document identifier represented thereby to the serverdevice 110, which uses the graphical code image or the documentidentifier represented thereby to identify and retrieve the desireddocument. In some embodiments, the server device communication interface370 receives the document from the servicer device 110. The renderingunit 365 converts the document into a printable representation. Theimage forming unit 320 prints the document.

Image Forming Apparatus Presents List

In some embodiments, after the image forming apparatus 125 successfullyauthenticates a user, the image forming apparatus 125 obtains thedocument descriptors of documents that the user is permitted to access(e.g., print jobs located in the queue that are associated with theuser), presents the list, and allows the user to identify a desireddocument for printing from the list. In some embodiments, the operationpanel 305 displays the list of document descriptors, which may be thelist of graphical code images as shown in FIG. 5. In some embodiments,to obtain the list, the server device communication interface 370contacts the server device 110 to request documents that are associatedwith the user, that can be retrieved from the server device 110, and/orthat the user is authorized to access or print. In some embodiments, theimage forming apparatus 125 may display a larger version of thegraphical code image for the user to capture using his or her mobilecomputing device 120. After the user reviews a print preview of thedocument, and if necessary changes configuration settings, the imageforming unit 320 prints the document.

In some embodiments, the instructions 330 may include a code converter360. The code converter 360 may include hardware, software and/orfirmware to manage the conversion of graphical code images and documentidentifiers. For example, upon receiving a graphical code imageassociated with a desired document from a scanned graphical code imagecaptured from the mobile computing device 120, the code converter 360may convert the selected graphical code image to the documentidentifier. The code converter 330 may read, decode, parse, or otherwiseinterpret the graphical code image to extract the document identifiertherefrom. The server device communication interface 370 transmits thedocument identifier in a document request to the server device 110. Asanother example, upon receiving a list of document identifiers from theserver device 110, the code converter 360 may convert the documentidentifiers to graphical code images for presentation on the operationpanel 305. The document identifier may include a link to an associatednetwork document stored on the server device 110, the name of thenetwork document, printer settings associated with the network document,and other metadata associated with the network document, among otherinformation.

In some embodiments, if the server device 110 uses only documentidentifiers, the code converter 360 may include a graphical code imagecoder (when the image forming apparatus 125 receives the list ofavailable documents from the server device 110 with document identifiersand needs to presents the list as graphical code images) and/or codedecoder (when the image forming apparatus 125 receives the graphicalcode image of a selected document from the mobile computing device 120and needs to request the desired document from the server device 110with the associated document identifier).

FIG. 4 illustrates a mobile computing device 120 in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention. The mobile computing device 120includes a user interface 405, memory 410, one or more printer drivers415, an application 420, an image capturing unit 425, a code converter430, a CPU 435 and a network interface 440 configured to be coupled to anetwork 130. In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 120 may beconfigured to perform the same or similar operations as those of theclient computing device 105. The mobile computing device 120 may alsoinclude a rendering unit 432, a server device communication interface445 and an image forming apparatus communication interface 450.

The CPU 435 may include one or more processors capable of executinginstructions, such as instructions which cause the mobile computingdevice 120 to perform various operations. The CPU 435 may alsoincorporate special-purpose processors for special purposes built onapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and field-programmablegate arrays (FPGAs).

The user interface 405 may include a touch screen through whichinformation can be displayed and user input can be received. In someembodiments, the mobile computing device 120 may include separate inputand/or output devices.

The memory 410 may include both volatile memory and non-volatile memory.Volatile memory may include random-access memory (RAM). Examples ofnon-volatile memory include read-only memory (ROM), flash memory,electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), digitaltape, a hard disk drive (HDD), and a solid-state drive (SSD). The memory410 may include any combination of readable and/or writable volatilememories and/or non-volatile memories, along with other possible memorydevices. The memory 410 may store instructions, e.g., programinstructions, which are executable by the CPU 435 and/or any otherprocessor(s) for running image forming operations of the mobilecomputing device 120. The memory 410 may also store data for variousprograms/applications, as well as data specific to the mobile computingdevice 120, e.g., for running the operating system (OS).

The application 420 (e.g., Microsoft Word), like application 220,includes document editing hardware, software and/or firmware to enablethe user to generate, edit and/or access a document.

The image capturing unit 425 may include an integrated camera.

In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 120 also includes arendering unit 432. The rendering unit 432 includes hardware, softwareand/or firmware capable of rendering received documents into printablerepresentation.

Direct to Printer

In some embodiments, the user uses the image capturing unit 415 of themobile computing device 120 to capture the graphical code imageassociated with the desired document, e.g., when the client computingdevice 105 generates the graphical code image. In some embodiments, theuser presents the graphical code image displayed on the mobile computingdevice 120 to the image forming apparatus 125, e.g., by presenting thegraphical code image to a scanner of the image forming apparatus 125. Insome embodiments, the server device communication interface 445 obtainsthe document from the server device 110. In some embodiments, the useruses the mobile computing device 120 to review a print preview of thedocument, and change configuration settings. In some embodiments, theuser uses the application 420 to change content in the document. In someembodiments, the image forming apparatus communication interface 450provides the document as received, amended and/or rendered to the imageforming apparatus 125 for printing.

Image Forming Apparatus Presents List

In embodiments where the image forming apparatus 125 displays a list ofdocument descriptors of documents that the user is permitted to accessand allows the user to identify a desired document for printing from thelist, the user may use the image capturing unit 425 of the mobilecomputing device 120 to identify a desired document from the list. Theserver device communication interface 445 provides the graphical codeimage or the document identifier represented thereby to the serverdevice 110, which retrieves the associated document. The server devicecommunication interface 445 receives the document from the server device110. The rendering unit 432 renders the document into a printablerepresentation. In some embodiments, the user uses the mobile computingdevice 120 to review a print preview of the document, and changeconfiguration settings. In some embodiments, the user uses theapplication 420 to change content in the document. In some embodiments,the image forming apparatus communication interface 450 provides thedocument as received, amended and/or rendered to the image formingapparatus 125 for printing.

Mobile Computing Device Presents List

In some embodiments (e.g., embodiments where the graphical code image isnot generated by the client computing device), the mobile computingdevice 125 obtains document descriptors of documents that the user ispermitted to access (e.g., print jobs located in the queue that areassociated with the user), presents the list, and allows the user toidentify a desired document for printing from the list. In response toselection of a desired document, the mobile computing device 120displays the graphical code image. In some embodiments, the userpresents the graphical code image being displayed on the mobilecomputing device 120 to the image forming apparatus 125, e.g., bypresenting the graphical code image to a scanner of the image formingapparatus 125. In some embodiments, the server device communicationinterface 445 obtains the document from the server device 110. In someembodiments, the user uses the mobile computing device 120 to review aprint preview of the document, and change configuration settings. Insome embodiments, the user uses the application 420 to change content inthe document. In some embodiments, the image forming apparatuscommunication interface 450 provides the document as received, amendedand/or rendered to the image forming apparatus 125 for printing.

In some embodiments, the code converter 430 may be hardware, softwareand/or firmware capable of managing the conversion of graphical codeimages and document identifiers. The code converter 430 may read,decode, parse, or otherwise interpret the graphical code image toextract the document identifier therefrom. In some embodiments, uponreceiving a graphical code image associated with a desired document froma scanned graphical code image captured from the image forming apparatus125, the code converter 430 may convert the selected graphical codeimage to the document identifier. In some embodiments, the imagecapturing unit 425 captures the graphical code image.

In some embodiments, the code converter 430 is on the server device 110,and the image forming apparatus 125 and the mobile computing system 120may communicate the graphical code image with the server device 110.

FIG. 6 illustrates a server device 110 in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. The server device 110 includes memory 605, astorage manager 610, a code converter 615, a CPU 620, and a networkinterface 625 configured to communicate with a network 130. The serverdevice 110 may also include a client computing device communicationinterface 630, a mobile computing communication interface 635 and animage forming apparatus communication interface 640. In someembodiments, the code converter 615 is part of the storage manager 610.

The CPU 620 may include one or more processors capable of executinginstructions, such as instructions which cause the server device 110 toperform various operations. The CPU 620 may also incorporatespecial-purpose processors for special purposes built onapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and field-programmablegate arrays (FPGAs).

The memory 605 may include both volatile memory and non-volatile memory.Volatile memory may include random-access memory (RAM). Examples ofnon-volatile memory include read-only memory (ROM), flash memory,electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), digitaltape, a hard disk drive (HDD), and a solid-state drive (SSD). The memory605 may include any combination of readable and/or writable volatilememories and/or non-volatile memories, along with other possible memorydevices. The memory 605 may store instructions, e.g., programinstructions, which are executable by the CPU 620 and/or any otherprocessor(s) for running image forming operations of the server device110. The memory 605 may also store data for variousprograms/applications, as well as data specific to the server device110, e.g., for running the operating system (OS).

The storage manager 610 includes hardware, software and/or firmwareconfigured to manage the storage of documents and document identifiersand/or graphical code images in local storage and/or in the data storage115, e.g., as persistent storage or a print queue.

Direct to Printer

In some embodiments, the storage manager 610 receives documents andgraphical code images and/or document identifiers for storage in datastorage 115 and/or printing. The image forming apparatus communicationinterface 640 awaits a selected document from the image formingapparatus 125. Upon receipt of a particular graphical code image or thedocument identifier represented thereby, the storage manager 610 usesthe particular graphical code image or the document identifierrepresented thereby to identify and retrieve the desired documentassociated therewith. In some embodiments, the server device 110includes a rendering unit 645 that includes hardware, software and/orfirmware capable of converting the document into a printablerepresentation. The image forming device communication interface 640provides the document, possibly in the printable representation, to theimage forming apparatus 125 for printing.

Image Forming Apparatus Presents List

In some embodiments, the image forming device communication interface640 may receive a user identifier and a set request from the imageforming apparatus 125 (e.g., in response to the user logging into theimage forming apparatus 125). The storage manager 610 may determine theset of documents and associated document descriptors of the documentsthat the user is permitted to access (e.g., print jobs located in thequeue that are associated with the user). The image forming devicecommunication interface 640 provides the set of document descriptors tothe image forming apparatus 125, which displays the set as a list to theuser. In some embodiments, the user uses his or her mobile computingdevice 120 to capture the graphical code image associated with thedesired document (e.g., using a camera on the mobile computing device120). The mobile computing device communication interface 635 mayreceive the graphical code image selection from the mobile computingdevice 120. The storage manager 610 may retrieve the document andinstruct the mobile computing device communication interface 640 toprovide the document to the mobile computing device 120.

In some embodiments, the user reviews a print preview of the document,and if desired changes configuration settings. In some embodiments, theserver device 110 includes the rendering unit 645 for rendering thedocument. The change of configuration settings may be provided to themobile computing device communication interface 635. The rendering unit645 re-renders the document. The mobile computing device communicationinterface 645 re-sends the re-rendered document. In some embodiments,the user on the mobile computing device 120 updates the document itself.The updated document is provided to the mobile computing devicecommunication interface 635. The storage manager 610 stores the updateddocument.

In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 120 instructs theprinting of the document. In some embodiments, the mobile computingdevice 120 provides the instruction to the mobile computing devicecommunication interface 635. The storage manager 610 instructs the imageforming device communication interface 640 to provide the document tothe image forming apparatus 125 for printing. In other embodiments, themobile computing device 120 provides the document directly to the imageforming apparatus 120 for printing.

Mobile Computing Device Presents List

In some embodiments, the mobile computing device communication interface635 receives a user identifier and a set request from the mobilecomputing device 120 (e.g., in response to the user opening an app onhis or her mobile computing device 120). The storage manager 610 maydetermine the set of documents and associated document descriptors ofthe documents that the user is permitted to access (e.g., print jobslocated in the queue that are associated with the user). From the setdisplayed on the mobile computing device 125, the user may select adesired document for printing and may provide the graphical code imageassociated with the desired document to the image forming apparatus 125.The image forming apparatus 125 provides the graphical code image or thedocument identifier represented thereby to the image forming apparatuscommunication interface 640. The storage manager 610 uses the graphicalcode image or the document identifier represented thereby to retrievethe desired document. In some embodiments, the server device 110includes the rendering unit 645 for converting the document into aprintable representation. The image forming apparatus communicationinterface 640 provides the document the image forming apparatus 125. Insome embodiments, the image forming apparatus 125 converts the documentinto a printable representation. The image forming apparatus 125 printsthe document.

In some embodiments, the code converter 615 is capable of generatingdocument identifiers. In some embodiments, the code converter 615 iscapable of generating graphical code images from document identifiers(whether the document identifiers are generated by the client computingdevice 105 or locally by the code converter 615). In some embodiments,the code converter 615 is capable of converting document identifiers toand/or from graphical code images. For example, if the server device 110stores only the document identifiers in association with the documentsand transfers the information to the mobile computing device 120 or theimage forming apparatus 125 in the form of graphical code images, thecode converter 615 may convert the document identifiers to graphicalcode images. If the server device 110 receives a graphical code imageselection from the mobile computing device 120 or the image formingapparatus 125, then the code converter 615 may convert the documentgraphical code image to a document identifier.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 700 of printing a networkdocument, in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention. Although the method 700 is shown as presenting a list ofgraphical code images to the user, it will be appreciated that theavailable documents may be presented as document descriptors, which mayinclude graphical code images. Further, although the method 700 is shownas storing graphical code images with the documents, it will beappreciated that the server device 110 may store, receive and/ortransmit the document identifiers.

The method 700 begins in step 705 with a user generating a document on aclient computing device 105 and instructing the server device 110 tostore the document, e.g., in data storage 115. The client computingdevice 105 generates a graphical code image, and associates thegraphical code image with the document. The client computing device 105instructs the server device 110 to store the graphical code image inassociation with the document. In some embodiments, the client computingdevice 105 generates only the document identifier and does not generatethe graphical code image. In some embodiments, another component, e.g.,the server device 110, generates the graphical code image.

In step 710, the client computing device 105 sends the document to theserver device 110 for storage, e.g., in the data storage 115. In theembodiment where the client computing device 105 generated the graphicalcode image, the client computing device 105 sends the graphical codeimage to the server device 110 for storage, e.g., in the data storage115, in association with the document.

In step 715, the server device 110 stores the document, e.g., in thedata storage 115 in association with the user. Whether the clientcomputing device 105 or the server device 110 generated the graphicalcode image, the server device 110 stores the graphical code image inassociation with the document.

In step 720, a user logs into the image forming apparatus 125, e.g.,using the authentication process 355 to authenticate himself or herself.The image forming apparatus 125 may perform authentication by requestinga username and password, scanning of a user identification card, etc. Insome embodiments, there may be no authentication.

In step 725, the image forming apparatus 125 sends a request to theserver device 110 for graphical code images associated with documentsthat the user is authorized to access, that are available to the imageforming apparatus 125, and that are authorized to be printed. In someembodiments, the request includes user-identifying information so thatthe server device 110 can determine which graphical code images the userand/or image forming apparatus 125 is authorized to access, receiveand/or print.

In step 730, the server device 110 determines which graphical codeimages the user and/or image forming apparatus 125 is authorized toaccess, receive and/or print, and sends the graphical code images to theimage forming apparatus 125.

In step 735, the image forming apparatus 125 displays a list ofgraphical code images. The list of graphical code images is displayedon, for example, the operation panel 305. In some embodiments, the listof the graphical code images and/or a selected graphical code image maybe printed instead of displayed. One skilled in the art will recognizedthat the graphical code images need not be displayed as a list format.Further, different document descriptors (instead of or in addition tographical code images) may be presented to support easier userrecognition of the documents.

In step 740, the image forming apparatus 125 enables selection of one ormore of the graphical code images displayed thereon.

In step 745, the user selects and captures the graphical code image of adesired document. In some embodiments, the user may use his or hermobile computing device 120 to capture a snapshot of the graphical codeimage. In some embodiments, the user may capture two or more graphicalcode images at once.

In step 750, the mobile computing device 120 requests the documentassociated with the selected graphical code image to be printed. In someembodiments, the mobile computing device 120 requests the document bysending the selected graphical code image to the server device 110. Insome embodiments, the mobile computing device 120 may first decode thedocument identifier from the graphical image code, and may request thedocument by sending the document identifier contained within thegraphical code image to the server device 110.

In step 755, the server device 110 obtains the document identifier andretrieves the document associated therewith. In some embodiments, theserver device 110 receives and decodes the graphical code image into thedocument identifier. In some embodiments, the server device 110 receivesthe document identifier directly. The server device 110 sends thedocument to the mobile computing device 120.

In step 760, the mobile computing device 120 renders the requesteddocument into a printable representation.

In step 765, the user, via the mobile computing device 120, issues aprint request. In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 120sends the selected document with the print request to the image formingapparatus 125 over a wireless channel. In other embodiments, the mobilecomputing device 120 sends the print request to the server device 110,which provides the document to the image forming apparatus 125.

In step 770, the image forming apparatus 125 generates and sends a printpreview to the mobile computing device 120, in accordance with thepresented embodiment. In some embodiments, the print preview may be sentto the mobile computing device over the wireless channel. In otherembodiments, the print preview may be sent to the server device 110,which forwards the print preview to the mobile computing device 120. Inother embodiments, the print preview may be generated by the mobilecomputing device 120 itself to avoid the data transfer.

In step 775, the user, via the mobile computing device 120, reviews theprint preview and may edit configuration settings. If the user edits theconfiguration settings, the method 700 may return to step 765 to requestanother print preview.

In step 780, assuming that the document is ready for printing, the user,via the mobile computing device 120, submits the final print request. Insome embodiments, the mobile computing device 120 sends the printrequest to the image forming apparatus 125 over a wireless channel. Themobile computing device 120 provides the document to the image formingapparatus 125 for printing. In some embodiments, the print request goesto the server device 110, which forwards the print request and thedocument to the image forming apparatus 125.

In step 785, the image forming apparatus 785 prints the document.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 800 of printing a networkdocument, in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention. Although the method 800 is shown as presenting a list ofgraphical code images to the user, it will be appreciated that theavailable documents may be presented as document descriptors, which mayinclude graphical code images. Further, although the method 800 is shownas storing graphical code images with the documents, it will beappreciated that the server device 110 may store, receive and/ortransmit the document identifiers.

The method 800 begins in step 805 with a user generating a document on aclient computing device 105 and instructing the server device 110 tostore the document, e.g., in data storage 115. The client computingdevice 105 generates a graphical code image, and associates thegraphical code image with the document. The client computing device 105instructs the server device 110 to store the graphical code image inassociation with the document. In some embodiments, the client computingdevice 105 generates only the document identifier and does not generatethe graphical code image. In some embodiments, the server device 110generates the graphical code image.

In step 810, the client computing device 105 sends the document to theserver device 110 for storage, e.g., in the data storage 115. In theembodiment where the client computing device 105 generated the graphicalcode image, the client computing device 105 sends the graphical codeimage to the server device 110 for storage, e.g., in the data storage115, in association with the document.

In step 815, the server device 110 stores the document, e.g., in thedata storage 115 in association with the user. Whether the clientcomputing device 105 or the server device 110 generated the graphicalcode image, the server device 110 stores the graphical code image inassociation with the document.

In step 820, a user logs into a mobile computing device 120 andauthenticates himself or herself. Authentication can be performed byentering a username and password, scanning a user identification card,etc. In some embodiments, there may be no log-in or authentication.

In step 825, from the mobile computing device 120, the user sends arequest to the server device 110 for graphical code images associatedwith documents that the user is authorized to access, that are availableto the image forming apparatus 125, and that are authorized to beprinted. In some embodiments, this may be done via an application on themobile computing device 120 (e.g., an application commonly referred toas an “app”) associated with the printing process. In some embodiments,the request includes user-identifying information so that the serverdevice 110 can determine which graphical code images the user and/orimage forming apparatus 125 is authorized to access, receive and/orprint.

In step 830, the server device 110 determines which graphical codeimages the user is authorized to receive, and sends the graphical codeimages to the image forming apparatus 125.

In step 835, the mobile computing device 120 displays a list ofgraphical code images, e.g. on user interface 405. The list may includedocuments which the user can access, the documents the user is permittedto print out, or all documents which the user stored. In someembodiments, the list of the graphical code images and/or a selectedgraphical code image may be printed instead of displayed. As statedabove, the graphical code images need not be presented in a list.Further, different document descriptors (e.g., document title, icon,document number) may be presented (instead or in addition to thegraphical code images) to support easier user recognition of thedocuments.

In step 840, the mobile computing device 120 enables and receivesselection of one or more of the graphical code images displayed thereon.In some embodiments, the user may receive selection of two or moregraphical code images at once.

In step 845, the image forming apparatus 125 obtains the graphical codeimage of the document desired to be printed. The user may display theselected graphical code image on the mobile computing device 120 andimage forming apparatus 125 may use a graphical code image scanner toscan the graphical code image.

In step 850, the image forming apparatus 125 sends a request to theserver device 110 for the document data associated with the graphicalcode image. In some embodiments, the image forming apparatus 125requests the document by sending the selected graphical code image tothe server device 110. In some embodiments, the image forming apparatus125 may first decode the document identifier from the graphical imagecode, and may request the document by sending the document identifiercontained within the graphical code image to the server device 110. Insome embodiments, the request includes credentials of the image formingapparatus 125.

In step 855, in accordance with some embodiments, the server device 110verifies the credentials of the image forming apparatus 125.

In step 860, in accordance with some embodiments, the server device 110sends a notification to the mobile computing device 120 of the requestfrom the image forming apparatus 125.

In step 865, the server device 110 obtains the document identifier andretrieves the document associated therewith. In some embodiments, theserver device 110 receives and decodes the graphical code image into thedocument identifier. In some embodiments, the server device 110 receivesthe document identifier directly. The server device 110 sends thedocument to the image forming apparatus 125.

In step 870, the image forming apparatus 125 renders the requesteddocument into a printable representation. In some embodiments, themethod 800 goes directly to step 890 for the image forming apparatus 125to print the document.

In step 875, the image forming apparatus 125 generates and sends a printpreview to the mobile computing device 120, in accordance with thepresented embodiment. In some embodiments, the image forming apparatusprovides the print preview to the mobile computing device 120 over awireless channel. In other embodiments, the document is sent to themobile computing device 120, which generates the print preview.

In step 880, the user, via the mobile computing device 120, reviews theprint preview and if desired edits configuration settings. If the useredits the configuration settings, the method 800 may return to step 870to generate another print preview.

In step 885, assuming that the document is ready for printing, the user,via the mobile computing device 120, submits the final print request. Insome embodiments, the mobile computing device 120 sends the printrequest to the image forming apparatus 125 over a wireless channel. Insome embodiments, the print request goes to the server device 110, whichforwards the print request and the document to the image formingapparatus 125. In some embodiments, user provides the print requestdirectly to the image forming apparatus 125.

In step 890, the image forming apparatus 785 prints the document.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 900 of printing adocument, in accordance with a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

Method 900 begins with the client computing device 105 in step 905generating the document and the graphical code image associated with thedocument. Although the method 900 is shown as having the clientcomputing device 105 generating the graphical code image, it will beappreciated that another component such as the server device 110 maygenerate the graphical code image.

In step 910, the client computing device 105 provides the document andthe graphical code image to the server device 110.

In step 915, the server device 110 stores the document and the graphicalcode image, possibly in a data storage 115 and/or in a print queue.

In step 920, the user, via the mobile computing device 120, captures thegraphical code image, possibly by using a camera on the mobile computingdevice 120 to take a picture of the graphical code image displayed on adisplay unit 205 of the client computing device 105.

In step 925, the mobile computing device 120 provides the graphical codeimage to the image forming apparatus 125.

In step 930, the image forming apparatus 125 obtains the graphical codeimage, e.g., by using a scanner of the imaging forming apparatus 125 toscan the graphical code image displayed on the mobile computing device120.

In step 935, the image forming apparatus 125 sends the graphical codeimage or the document identifier represented thereby to the serverdevice 110 to request the document associated with the graphical codeimage from the server device 110.

In step 940, the server device 110 uses the graphical code image or thedocument identifier represented thereby to locate the document.

In step 945, the server device 110 provides the document to the imageforming apparatus 125 for printing.

In step 950, the image forming apparatus 125 converts the document intoa printable representation and prints the document.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention is by way of example only, and other variations andmodifications of the above-described embodiments and methods arepossible in light of the foregoing teaching.

For example, in some embodiments, a graphical code image may begenerated for a group of documents. For example, a graphical code imagemay be associated with several versions of the same document.

In some embodiments, printer configuration settings may be stored inassociation with each document. The print configuration settings mayinclude color settings, duplex settings, a number of document pages toprint per sheet of paper, staple settings, among other possibleconfiguration settings.

In some embodiments, the server device 110 may store metadata associatedwith each document such as authorization information used to confirmuser authorization to access and/or print the document.

In some embodiments, the server device 110 and/or data storage 115 maybe incorporated into the image forming apparatus 125. The image formingapparatus 125 could decode graphical code images, retrieve documentsassociated therewith, send documents to mobile computing devices 120,and execute print jobs without accessing an external server device 110.

In some embodiments, the document identifier may be a hash code.Generating the hash code may involve inputting data representative ofthe graphical code image into a hashing function. The hashing functionmay be a one-way mapping function that maps a particular graphical codeimage to a unique combination of alphanumeric characters. The serverdevice 110 may provide the graphical code image (or a portion of dataextracted from the graphical code image) to the hashing function, andthen compare the output of the hashing function to stored hashes.

In some embodiments, documents and/or document identifiers may beencrypted. A document and/or document identifier may be encryptedindividually for a particular user. The particular user may provideauthentication credentials, which may be embedded within a graphicalcode image. The authentication credentials may be used to decrypt thedocument and/or document identifier.

In some embodiments, a document may be set to expire at a certain date,time and/or event. Upon expiration, the server device 110 may beconfigured to delete the document from the data storage 115.

In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 120 and the imageforming apparatus 125 may be connected to each other via Bluetooth orWi-Fi Direct. This may prevent mobile computing device 120 fromconnecting to the same network 130 as that of the image formingapparatus 125 to increase security.

In some embodiments, the graphical code image selected by the user maybe sent to the mobile computing device 120 via e-mail, SMS, or othercommunication process instead of via the camera.

In some embodiments, other document identifiers may be presented to theuser for document selection. Upon selection of a document identifier,the graphical code image may then be presented for capture.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method comprisingusing a scanner to capture a particular graphical code image by an imageforming apparatus; generating a document request in response tocapturing the particular graphical code image, the document requestcontaining a particular document identifier of a particular document;transmitting the document request to a server device, the server deviceconfigured to manage storage of documents and associated documentidentifiers, and configured to identify the particular document based onthe particular document identifier; receiving the particular documentfrom the server device in response to the document request; and printinga printable representation of the particular document. The particulardocument identifier in the document request may be the particulargraphical code image. The method may further comprise decoding theparticular graphical code image into the particular document identifier.The receiving the particular document from the server device may includereceiving the printable representation of the particular document.Alternatively, the method may further comprise rendering the particulardocument into the printable representation.

Although the network sites are being described as separate and distinctsites, one skilled in the art will recognize that these sites may be apart of an integral site, may each include portions of multiple sites,or may include combinations of single and multiple sites. The variousembodiments set forth herein may be implemented utilizing hardware,software, or any desired combination thereof. For that matter, any typeof logic may be utilized which is capable of implementing the variousfunctionality set forth herein. Components may be implemented using aprogrammed general purpose digital computer, using application specificintegrated circuits, or using a network of interconnected conventionalcomponents and circuits. Connections may be wired, wireless, modem, etc.The embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive orlimiting. The present invention is limited only by the following claims.

1. A printing system comprising: a server device including a storage manager configured to manage storage of documents and associated document identifiers, a particular set of one or more of the documents and one or more associated document identifiers being associated with a particular user; a first image forming apparatus communication interface configured to receive from an image forming apparatus a set request containing identification of the particular user, and configured to provide the particular set of one or more associated document identifiers to the image forming apparatus in response to receiving the set request; and a first mobile computing device communication interface configured to receive a document request from a mobile computing device, the document request containing information identifying a selected document identifier of the particular set of one or more associated document identifiers, the mobile computing device receiving a graphical code image identifying the selected document identifier from the image forming apparatus, and configured to provide a selected document associated with the selected document identifier to the image forming apparatus for printing.
 2. The printing system of claim 1, wherein the information identifying the selected document identifier is the selected document identifier.
 3. The printing system of claim 1, wherein the information identifying the selected document identifier is the graphical code image and wherein the server device further includes a code converter for converting between the graphical code image and the selected document identifier.
 4. The printing system of claim 1, wherein the first image forming apparatus communication interface is further configured to provide a set of one or more document descriptors to the image forming apparatus in response to receiving the set request, each document descriptor containing information to support the user in recognizing the associated document.
 5. The printing system of claim 1, further comprising: an image forming apparatus including a first server device communication interface configured to send the set request to the server device, the set request including the identification of the particular user; and an operation panel configured to present the particular set of one or more associated document identifiers, and configured to enable a user to identify the selected document identifier; and a mobile computing device including a camera configured to capture a snapshot of the graphical code image identifying the selected document identifier from the image forming apparatus; a second server device communication interface configured to send the document request for the selected document to the server device, the request including the information identifying the selected document identifier; and an image forming unit configured to print a printable representation of the selected document.
 6. The printing system of claim 5, wherein the second server device communication interface of the mobile computing device is further configured to receive the selected document in response to the document request, and the mobile computing device further includes a rendering unit configured to render the document into a printable representation.
 7. The printing system of claim 6, wherein the mobile computing device further includes a second image forming apparatus communication interface configured to send the printable representation to the image forming apparatus.
 8. The printing system of claim 7, wherein the mobile computing device further includes a user interface configured to display a print preview of the selected document.
 9. The printing system of claim 8, wherein the user interface is further configured to receive an instruction to edit the printable representation and configured to change a configuration setting and generate an updated print preview in response to the instruction.
 10. The printing system of claim 1, wherein the server device further includes a code generator configured to generate the graphical code image.
 11. A method comprising: managing storage of documents and associated document identifiers, a particular set of one or more of the documents and one or more associated document identifiers being associated with a particular user; receiving from an image forming apparatus a set request containing identification of the particular user; providing the set of one or more associated document identifiers to the image forming apparatus in response to receiving the set request; receiving a document request from a mobile computing device, the document request containing information identifying a selected document identifier of the particular set of one or more associated document identifiers, the mobile computing device obtaining a graphical code image identifying the selected document identifier from the image forming apparatus; and providing a particular document associated with the selected document identifier to the image forming apparatus for printing.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the information identifying the selected document identifier is the selected document identifier.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the information identifying the selected document identifier is the graphical code image and further comprising converting between the graphical code image and the selected document identifier.
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a set of one or more document descriptors to the image forming apparatus in response to receiving the set request, each document descriptor containing information to support the user in recognizing the associated document.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising rendering the particular document into a printable representation.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising sending the printable representation to the image forming apparatus.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving an instruction to edit the printable representation and, in response to the instruction, changing a configuration setting and generating an updated print preview.
 18. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an authentication process for authenticating a particular user; a server device communication interface configured to provide a set request to a server device, the server device configured to manage storage of documents and associated document identifiers, a particular set of one or more of the documents and one or more associated document identifiers being associated with a particular user, the set request including identification of the particular user, the server device communication interface being further configured to receive the particular set of one or more associated document identifiers from the server device in response to the set request; an operation panel configured to display the particular set of one or more associated document identifiers, configured to enable identification of a selected document identifier associated with a particular document for printing, and configured to provide a graphical code image associated with the selected document identifier in response to the identification of the selected document identifier; and an image forming unit configured to print a particular printable representation of the particular document associated with the selected document identifier.
 19. The image forming apparatus of claim 18, wherein the selected document identifier is the graphical code image.
 20. The image forming apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a code converter for converting between the particular document identifier and the graphical code image.
 21. The image forming apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a rendering unit configured to render the particular document into a first printable representation.
 22. The image forming apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first printable representation is the particular printable representation.
 23. The image forming apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a mobile device communication interface configured to provide the first printable representation of the particular document to the mobile computing device.
 24. The image forming apparatus of claim 23, wherein the mobile device communication interface is further configured to receive a request to edit a print configuration setting, and the rendering unit is further configured to re-render the particular document into the particular printable representation.
 25. The image forming apparatus of claim 23, wherein the mobile computing device communication interface is configured to receive a print request from the mobile computing device. 